A joint investigation team requested the arrest warrant on Monday after Yoon skipped his third scheduled questioning by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials.
If the warrant is executed, Yoon would be the first president in the country’s history to be arrested while still in office. Yoon’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
Yoon was impeached this month for his brief imposition of martial law, which plunged the country into constitutional crisis, pressuring stocks and currency, and disrupting diplomatic efforts. The opposition-controlled parliament later also suspended Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who replaced Yoon as acting president.
It’s not immediately clear if the investigators would manage to take the president into custody. A previous attempt by the police to search the presidential office was blocked by Yoon’s office.
The investigation team said in a statement that it has yet to decide when it will execute the warrant.
Yoon’s representatives have previously said the investigation team doesn’t have legal grounds to seek a warrant for the president.
Yoon has signalled his intent to fight in court to stay in office, saying his martial law decree was within his constitutional powers. He’s also facing a trial that will decide whether to reinstate him or permanently remove him from office. The court has until June to make a ruling, with the next hearing scheduled for January 3.
